Several leaders today joined millions of Kenyans in paying tributes to former President Mwai Kibaki who passed on aged 90.
President Uhuru Kenyatta made the announcement in a short statement at State House Nairobi.
During the proclamation, President Kenyatta announced a period of national mourning in respect of Mr Kibaki who is credited for transforming the country following decades of KANU misrule.
“I order and direct that in the testimony of high esteem that all Kenyans held for Mwai Kibaki, the country will hold a period of national mourning until sunset on the day he will be buried. All flags will fly at half-mast during this period,” President Kenyatta said.
Presidential candidate Raila Odinga who was the Prime Minister when Kibaki was a second term President, referred to the former leader of the nation as a true statesman.
Raila later in the afternoon went to view the body at Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi.
Deputy President William Ruto said: “HE President Emilio Mwai Kibaki was a true champion of Kazi ni Kazi always (Doctor of Economy). What a big loss to our nation! Rest in Peace.”
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen wrote of his tweeter account: “President Mwai Kibaki was a true statesman, an intellectual, self assured, NOT PETTY and a true patriot. So far he is Kenya’s Greatest Leader. Rest In Peace Mr. President Sir!”
Musalia Mudavadi said: “I join fellow Kenyans in mourning the death of our 3rd President, His Excellency Mwai Kibaki. He was a man of great repute who participated in the struggle to liberate our country; He stood firm in his beliefs & laid the foundation for the immense economic progress Kenyans enjoy.”
Kibaki ended the late President Moi’s more than two decades rules in 2002 when he took over power as Kenya’s third President.
“We remember the values by which he lived, the ideals he embraced, his dignity and diligence, his candour and concern for the well-being of all Kenyans,” said President Kenyatta on Friday.
“His contributions as minister of finance and vice president saw Kenya’s economy grow steadily fueled by a commodities boom as well as fiscal and monetary policies that were the backbone of his economic philosophy.”
President Kibaki was the only surviving former president after the second president Daniel Moi died in 2020.
Kibaki is survived by four children: Judy Wanjiku, Jimmy Kibaki, David Kagi and Tony Githinji.
His career started in the lecture halls of Makerere University and later in KANU as the executive officer.
The journey took him to the Treasury as the country’s second Finance minister after Mr James Gichuru, a job which thrust him into the international limelight.
